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Date: April 17, 2010
Weather: Sunny (20 °C in the sun in the afternoon)
Location: Burgundy, France
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Last year in May, I had the occasion to spend few days in Burgundy, a beautiful region well-known for its wine which also turned out to be a good place to find reptiles because of the many low rock walls surrounding the vineyards. Beyond my expectations, I managed to observe in a single morning 3 different asp vipers basking in the vegetation.
Figure 1: Juvenile Vipera aspis
Figure 2: Typical vegetation close to the vineyards hiding an adult Vipera aspis (bottom left-hand corner)
I recently decided to go back to this prolific place in the hope I could take more pictures of asp vipers during their reproductive period.
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My first encounter, a Lacerta bilineata, was found early in the morning and displays a beautiful green pattern which matches perfectly with its environment. Those widespread lizards share this spot with the even more numerous Podarcis muralis.
Figure 3: Western green lizard on moss
Figure 4: Western green lizard in close-up
Around 9 a.m, a piece of brownish scales between two rocks caught my attention: It was the body of an Aesculapian snake. As I already observed, this snake does not seem to fear too much people and can even come near to its encounter, the mouth wide open, in a defensive attitude.
Figure 5: Mid-grown Zamenis longissimus
Figure 6: Aesculapian snake "on the defensive"
Figure 7: Zamenis longissimus showing good climbing skills
Two hours later, I walked in front of a Hierophis viridiflavus which first came to a dead stop before flying away with an impressive speed. Similarly to Zamenis longissimus, this snake does not hesitate to inflict repetitive bites when disturbed. This Western whip snake was found approximately at the same place where, one year before, I photographed a young blue-coloured specimen. Below are some pictures of both adult and juvenile Hierophis viridiflavus:
Figure 8: Picture giving an idea about the size of this Western whip snake
Figure 9: Close-up of an adult's head
Figure 10: Juvenile Western whip snake
Figure 11: Adult Hierophis viridiflavus
Figure 12: Juvenile Western whip snake
In the absence of extra asp viper pictures to show (that will be for next time…), I am finishing the report of this still fruitful herping day with pictures of other animals found on the same spot.
Figure 13: Common toad (Bufo bufo bufo)
Figure 14: Podarcis muralis
Figure 15: Orgiastic lunch of a Mantis religiosa
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